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VICTORIA Mayor Bri- an Azzopardi said the government has already commit- ted to several projects for the city's Europe- an Capital of Culture 2031, with details of the plans and their costs included in the bid book. "The bid book had all the projects, be it structurally or artistically, more concise, structured and costed," he said. Azzopardi said the ju- ry questioned the city extensively about its finances and how the projects would be funded during a 45-min- ute presentation. "Even the jury told us it's a very ambi- tious bid book. So, if we deliver on what is written in that bid b o o k , that would be a success," he said. He confirmed that specif- ic funding was expected to feature in Malta's budget, as it had already been com- mitted in the bid book. The government has pledged support for a num- ber of struc- tural and a r t i s t i c projects. O n E u r o - p e a n U n i o n f u n d - i n g , A z z o - p a r d i said the €1.5 million grant linked to the title could be shared between Victoria and another city in Spain, which has yet to be selected. He explained that the funding is subject to certain conditions and that the full amount would not necessar- ily go to Victoria alone. However, he said the title could give Victoria an ad- vantage when local organi- sations and NGOs apply for EU-funded projects. Victoria was selected as Malta's European Capital of Culture for 2031 follow- ing a competition that also involved Birgu, which was eliminated at the first stage. Azzopardi said further in- itiatives could also be developed as the city prepares for 2031. Read the full i n t e r v i e w this Sunday on Malta- Today print edition as well as on our online portal Mal- t a T o d a y . com.mt SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2026 • ISSUE 115 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday €1.00 Personal Loans NEW BOAT? All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). Compe ve Interest Rates Hybrid amphibious aircraft for Gozo route READ STORY PAGE 4 Victoria Mayor talks of more funding for 2031 event EUROPEAN aviation company EVIA AERO is studying a fully electric Valletta-Gozo connection as part of plans to introduce up to 20 amphibious aircraft to Europe. The proposed service would use the Tidal Polaris Amphibi- an, a hybrid-electric aircraft de- signed to operate from both wa- ter and conventional runways. LAURA CALLEJA lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt Victoria Mayor Brian Azzopardi (Photo: James Bianchi/ MaltaToday) Victoria Mayor Brian Azzopardi says the government has committed to funding several structural and artistic projects for the city's European Capital of Culture 2031, with costs outlined in its bid book